Machine Learning Applications for 2019

It’s not a stretch to say that machine learning is changing the world as we know it. What started out as a major advancement for companies heavily tied to technology has extended to nearly every industry out there. Machine learning represents a revolution — a completely different way of thinking and operating for businesses. Any company that hasn’t considered machine learning applications and artificial intelligence before will need to rethink their strategy quickly. Right now, machine learning algorithms have introduced a number of fascinating benefits to businesses, and the applications in the future are even more promising. Here are just a few machine learning applications to keep an eye on.

A Healthcare Revolution With Machine Learning

Health can be a complex subject to tackle. So many variables can determine how healthy a person is, and even the best medical technology can get things wrong from time to time. Even so, medical breakthroughs are happening all the time, and the future looks bright when machine learning is added to the equation. Just think of all the research that goes into discovering a cure for diseases like cancer. With machine learning and artificial intelligence, doctors and researchers are able to more precisely diagnose based upon factors which simply weren’t calculable before. With machine learning algorithms, things such as age, medical history, lifestyle, family medical history, and other data can all be looked at and used to help patients.

The full extent of this technology can go even further than diagnoses. For example, with machine learning and AI technology, Google has shown it can look at a patient’s medical records and data to predict the likelihood of their death. In fact, the technology has been shown to be up to 95 percent accurate in its prediction. That may sound like a scary thought, but this could prove to be effective in helping people get the treatment they need before it’s too late.

Better Oil and Gas

The oil and gas industry is another area where machine learning can prove extremely beneficial. Oil and gas exploration and drilling is a complex and dangerous practice, one which uses sophisticated equipment and expertise to succeed. Maintaining the required equipment is an expensive task, but thanks to new sensors that can be placed inside the machines, vast amounts of data are collected which details how well the equipment is operating. When this data is run through machine learning algorithms, the application can determine if the equipment is in need of repair well before it breaks down. This saves significant downtime that would be needed if the equipment were to be worked past its breaking point and require more extensive repairs. Machine learning and artificial intelligence can also be used within the oil and gas industry to reduce overall costs and most importantly, improve safety conditions of the workers.

Improved Transportation

Machine learning is set to transform the world of transportation in some revolutionary ways. One of the most exciting developments is within the realm of self-driving cars. This is perhaps the most well-known and publicized uses of machine learning. The machine learning algorithms used in self-driving cars have been continuously improving as they try to imitate how a human driver handles their vehicle. More and more data is being compiled through test drives, and every year we get closer to seeing self-driving cars reach our roads. It may not be long before self-driving cars are a common sight while you’re driving to the grocery store.

As exciting and intriguing as self-driving cars are, that’s not the only way machine learning data is being used in transportation. The applications of machine learning extend to the way traffic flows in cities. Traffic networks are steadily becoming connected to the internet, with sensors now keeping a close track of traffic patterns at all hours of the day. This is given a boost by GPS tracking data, which has become a normal feature of more vehicles. By measuring traffic flow, not only can cities optimize their streets to ensure traffic keeps running smoothly, but they can predict precisely when traffic will be at its heaviest. With machine learning, this can even take into account data like weather and special events. In the near future, drivers could receive specific alerts not just in anticipation of when traffic will be bad but alternate routes where they can get where they need to go in the shortest amount of time.

Machine Learning Applications in the U.S. Army

The military is usually on the cutting edge of technology, so it should come as no surprise they’re looking into how to use machine learning applications. With the use of an AI assistant and sensors embedded within military vehicles, the U.S. Army will compile data on how the vehicles are running, gathering stats such as the vehicle’s operating temperature. In much the same way machine learning is used in the oil and gas industry, this approach with algorithms will keep track of vehicle operations and detect certain patterns that indicate if repairs are needed. For an organization that always has to be ready to act at any moment, this will help the U.S. Army stay on top of maintenance and not be caught unprepared.

Tech Protection

With so much of our lives becoming dependent on technology, protecting that tech should be a priority. So what is machine learning used for in this area? Mainly to ensure that the software and data we use doesn’t become infected by annoying viruses and malware. Staying on top of malware has proven to be an immense challenge. Cyber criminals seem like they’re always staying one step ahead of efforts to stop them. Machine learning and artificial intelligence may be the keys to putting up significant roadblocks in their way. With machine learning algorithms, patterns in malware can be detected early on, in part because most malware features a similar construction. When the similarities are found out, an alarm can be triggered, leading to closer inspection. If malware is identified, it can then be eliminated before it has a chance to cause damage. The same principle applies to spam filtering for email services.

A New World of Machine Learning

We are certainly entering into a new age where machine learning will be used for almost everything. This is just a small sampling of what will be offered soon. The possibilities are nearly endless, with its reach extending to every industry, from education and healthcare to sports and marketing. Every business should take a careful look at what machine learning applications have to offer and determine how they can benefit their organizations. Only through this will they be able to remain competitive in the future, not just in 2019 but beyond.